Knox County, Illinois - The whole text, 1912 (part 41 of 56)

Irving W. Davison, who resides in Henderson township, was born in Henderson, March 31, 1877, his parents being Joseph and Isabella (Kilgore) Davison, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father, who had been a resident of Knoxville, came to Henderson and engaged in the shoe business prior to entering upon agricultural pursuits which he carried on extensively later in life, owning four hundred and forty acres of land and raising cattle for the western market until his death, October 27, 1910.

Irving W. Davison received a common-school education and then assisted his father on the latter's farm until he started out on his own account, in 1907, on the one hundred and forty-acre tract of land he now owns and devotes to general farming. Although he has been farming independently for only four years, he has already met with a good measure of success and has shown that long years of experience are not necessarily indispensable to succes^ if energy and determination take their place. ' . -- . .r -^ ;- I . '

On October 17, 1902, Mr. Davison was married to Emma J. Nelson and to this union five children have been born, namely : Mary L., Helen C.,' Evelyn M., Gertrude B., and Gladys Margaret, deceased. Mrs. Davison is the daughter of Nels and Hannah Nelson, who have been residents of Knox county for many years. Nels Nelson was bom in Christianstad, Sweden, October 6, 1855, and received a common-school education in his native land, where he engaged in fanning until 1877, when he came to America, there he has since carried on the same pursuit. He first settled in Henry county and was employed there for several years, although he resided in Knox county during the latter part of thattime. After five or six years he began farming near Henderson and Wataga and, in 1898, located upon the forty-acre farm which he had recently acquired and upon which he now resides. In politics Mr. Nelson gives his support to the republican party and has served as road commissioner. He holds membership in the Swedish Lutheran church of Wataga, as well as Galesburg Camp, No. 667, M. W. A. On January 4, 1882, Nels Nelson was married to Mrs. Anna (Samuelson) Peterson, whose parents remained in Sweden, their native country. To Mr. and Mrs. Nelson six children have been born, of whom five are now living. The eldest, Christina, is married to Gust Malcolm, an agriculturist, who resides in Ontario township and has three children. Emil, who is an agriculturist in Henderson township, is married and is the father of two children. Emma is. the wife of Irving W. Davison, of this sketch. George is married and is an agriculturist in Henderson township. Minnie, the youngest, is residing a* home. Mr. Davison gives his political support to the republican party, having a firm belief that its policies are most effective in securing good government. In this, as in his other relations, he is loyal and consistent, always acting according to his interpretation of the highest citizenship. .

Thomas Craver, now deceased, who resided for many years in Walnut Grove township, was born May 26, 1824, in Hanover, Pennsylvania, and is a son of John and Christina (Stoekel) Craver, who were Pennsylvania Germans.

Thomas Craver, who was an undertaker by trade, spent his early life on the home farm, but after his marriage in 1851 came to Lynn township, Knox county, and settled in a little log house upon the farm which he cultivated for twentyseven years previous to removing to Altona in 1885, where he lived retired until his death.

Mr. Craver was married September 17, 1851, to Miss Rebecca Cameron, who was a daughter of Angus Cameron and was born on September 14, 1832, in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania. The father was a native of Scotland, his birth having occurred there in 1807, and he came to America with his brothers at the age of sixteen years. They located first in Canada but soon removed to' Carbondale, Pennsylvania, with an uncle, where they remained throughout their lives. In Carbondale he followed the cabinet-maker's trade and showed a skill and ability which won him rapid promotion. He was married to Sabrina Snyder, whose birth occurred in New York state. May 31, 1812, and who passed away on the I7th of April, 1896. Mrs. Cameron was a daughter of Jacob and Margaret Snyder and a granddaughter of John and Mary Cameron, the former a shepherd boy in his youth. Mr. Cameron held membership in the Methodist church and his death occurred on September 29, 1896. To him and his wife nine children were born, six of whom are living. Mrs. Craver, the eldest, is the widow of Thomas Craver, the subject of this sketch. Duncan was bom in Pennsylvania, October 3, 1834, and is at present residing with Mrs. Craven At the age of twelve years he began assisting his father as a cabinet-maker and _ remained with him until 1859. In 1864 he removed to Iowa and again took up his trade, remaining in Cedar Falls for two years before removing to South Dakota. Subsequently he returned to Iowa and until 1905, when he came to live retired with his sister, was engaged as a millwright. He was twice married, his first union being to Harriet Hoadley, of Wayne county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Luther and Sophia (Sampson) Hoadley. To this union one child, Luther, was bom, his death occurring when he was but one year old. Mrs. Cameron passed away in 1863, at the age of thirty years. His second marriage was to Mary M. Cockerell, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of J. Cockerell, a native of England. Her death occurred in 1905, at the age of sixty years. Mr. Cameron has never given active support to any political party. He holds membership in the Baptist church and formerly was a member of the Knights of Pythias. Angus, the next in order of birth in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Angus Cameron, resides in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. Libby is the wife of P. Gray and resides in Streator, Illinois. Anna is the widow of J. Scurry, of Carbondale. Emma is married to Charles Gray and is residing in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania.

Mr. and Mrs. Craver became the parents of eleven children. Mary E., the eldest, is the wife of John S. Collinson and resides in Galva, Illinois. They are the parents of three children : Dennis, who is married and has three children ; Wiley, who is married and has one child ; and Cora. William V. resides in Lynn township and married Jessie McClatchey, by whom he has two children, Glenn and Thomas. John A. is also a resident of Lynn township and is married to Jessie Cochren and has one child, Ira Ross. Harriet is the wife of E. Burkhart, of Nebraska, and has two children, Jennie and Jessie. Anna is married and resides in California. She has one daughter, Stella, who married Dr. Mills. .Minnie is the wife of A. A. Scott, of Altona, and Judge T., who resides in Walnut Grove township, married Emma Kermode. Four, Flora, Ira, Florence and Emma, died early in life.

Mr. Craver was a member of Altona Lodge, No. 330, A. F. & A. M., of Altona, and also belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Craver is a member of the Presbyterian church of Altona and is active in its Ladies Social Union Society. Industry and persistency were the salient features in his career and were potent elements in the acquirement of his success, which not only spoke in terms of material gain but also won him the regard and high esteem of his fellowmen. . ,

N. B. Ives, Sr., who is now living retired, owns a fine farm of two hundred and thirty-eight acres on section 7, Victoria township, where for many years he successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is one of the four children born of the marriage of Joshua and Katherine (Wilber) Ives, ' his birth occurring in Otsego county. New York, on the pth of November, 1833. -, The parents passed their entire lives in Otsego county, the mother's death oc- - curring at the age of twenty-three, when our subject was a child of two years, .; but the father lived to attain the venerable age of seventy-nine. They were . v members of the Lutheran church, while his political support Joshua Ives always ..- accorded the republican party. , . i .. .

live retired with his sister, was engaged as a millwright. He was twice married, his first union being to Harriet Hoadley, of Wayne county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Luther and Sophia (Sampson) Hoadley. To this union one child, Luther, was born, his death occurring when he was but one year old. Mrs. Cameron passed away in 1863, at the age of thirty years. His second marriage was to ^^ary M. Cockerell. a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of J. Cockerell, a native of England. Her death occurred in 1905, at the age of sixty years. Mr. Cameron has never given active supjwrt to any political party. He holds membership in the Baptist church and formerly was a member of the Knights of Pythias. Angus, the next in order of birth in the family of Mr. and Mrs. .\ngus Cameron, resides in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. Libby is the wife of P. Gray and resides in Streator. Illinois. Anna is the widow of J. Scurry, of Carbondale. Emma is married to Charles Gray and is residing in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Craver became the parents of eleven children. Mary E., the eldest, is the wife of John S. Collinson and resides in Galva, Illinois. They are the parents of three children : Dennis, who is married and has three children ; \\'iley, who is married and has one child ; and Cora. William V. resides in Lynn township and married Jessie McClatchey, by whom he has two children, Glenn and Thomas. John A. is also a resident of Lynn township and is married to Jessie Cochren and has one child, Ira Ross. Harriet is the wife of E. Burkhart, of Nebraska, and has two children, Jennie and Jessie. Anna is married and resides in California. She has one daughter, Stella, who married Dr. Mills. Minnie is the wife of A. A. Scott, of Altona, and Judge T., who resides in Walnut Grove township, married Emma Kermode. Eour, Flora, Ira, Florence and Emma, died early in life.

. Mr. Craver was a member of Altona Lodge, No. 330, A. F. & A. M., of Altona, and also belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Craver is a member of the Presbyterian church of Altona and i;, active in its Ladies Social L'nion Society. Industry and persistency were the salient features in his career and were potent elements in the ac(|uirement of his success, which not only spoke in terms of material gain but also won him the regard and high esteem of his fellowmen.

. N. B. Ives, Sr., who is now living retired, owns a fine farm of two hundred and thirty-eight acres on section 7, \'ictoria township, where for many years he successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is one of the four children born of the marriage of Joshua and Katherine (Wilber) Ives, his birth occurring in Otsego county, Xew York, on the 9th of November, 1833. The ])arents ])assed their entire lives in Otsego county, the mother's death occurring at the age of twenty-three, when our subject was a child of two years, but the father lived to attain the venerable age of seventy-nine. They were members of the Lutheran church, while his political support Josluia Ives always accorded the republican party.

The agricultural training of N. B. Ives was received under the supervision of his father on the old homestead in Otsego county, while pursuing his education in the district schools. He continued to follow farming in his native state until he was twenty-three years of age, when he decided that the west afforded better opportunities and greater advantages to the young man, so in 1856 he ' came to Illinois. Upon his arrival in Knox county he located in Victoria township and for two years thereafter worked as a farm hand by the month. At the end of that time he bought the place he now owns, which is located a mile northeast of Victoria. This was the property of the Force boys and was unimproved with the exception of forty acres. Mr. Ives was an enterprising, industrious young man, however, and had no hesitancy in undertaking the arduous task of placing the entire tract under cultivation. He was young, strong and full of ambition, and the thought of owning a farm proved an incentive to yet greater effort and the last forty acres of his land he broke entirely unassisted. Naturally he encountered the disappointment and discouragements common to pioneer life, but he never lost hope, possessing absolute confidence in ultimately attaining success. The operation of his farm was always given his personal supervision, the greater part of the work being done by him alone during the early years. His fields were devoted to the raising of such cereals as were best adapted to the soil, and under his capable direction annually yielded harvests that fully compensated for the labor expended in their cultivation. In connection with general farming he raised cattle, hogs and, on a smaller scale, horses all of a high grade, and attained lucrative results from these undertakings. Mr. Ives was actively engaged in the operation of his farm until fifteen years ago, when he had the misfortune to suffer a stroke of paralysis, and he has ever since been an invalid. He still resides on his homestead but the land is being cultivated by his son. It is a very attractive place, and has always been a source of great pride to its owner, representing as it does the self-denial, toil and struggles of his early manhood and middle age. All of the buildings now standing on the place have been erected during the period of his occupancy, the lumber for most of them having been hauled from Galva, this state, at that time the nearest trading post. His only prolonged absence from the farm since he settled upon it was during the war. As a member of Company K, Eighty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry he went to the front, proving as efficient a soldier as a farmer. He saw much active service but was never wounded or taken prisoner and was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, with the rank of sergeant, receiving his discharge at Chicago.

On the 2d of January, i86i, Mr. Ives was united in marriage to Miss Susan Oark, who was born in Otsego county. New York, on the 2Oth of May, 1842. She is a daughter of William P. and Dinah (Soules) Clark. The parents were also natives of Otsego county, but they later removed to Knox county, and here the mother passed away at the age of seventy years, while the father reached the patriarchal age of eighty-seven. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Ives numbers five, as follows: W. J., v^rho is a resident of Chicago; Ola C., who married Frank M. Robinson and is living in Houston, Texas ; N. B., Jr., who married Minnie Watson and is also a resident of Houston ; Ulysses S., a resident of this township, who married Mabel Robinson ; and Sherman, who married Miss Florence Craver, now operating his father's farm. ,.:... ..,- , . -, ,.

Ever since granted the right of franchise upon attaining his majority, Mr. Ives has given his unqualified indorsement to the principles of the republican party. He cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln and on each succeeding election has given his support to the candidates of the party of his early choice. Being a public-spirited man, he has taken an active interest in township politics and has served as collector, school trustee, director and pathmaster, the duties ' of which offices he discharged in a creditable manner. Mr. Ives is one of the honored members of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and for many years held the chaplain's chair in this organization. He is highly regarded as a citizen of his township, in the development and upbuilding of which he has taken an active and helpful interest during the fifty-five years of his residence, and is numbered among its substantial agriculturists. :' > -. " .,

One of the substantial citizens of Knox county and for many years a farmer of progressive ideals who occupied a place in the front ranks of the representatives of his calling, is Samuel Rankin, now living on his farm in Henderson township. His birth occurred in Uniontown, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, March lo, 1844. He was a son of William and Eliza (Junk) Rankin, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former of Scotch-Irish descent, born in 1800. His father, who was an active whig in politics, carried on agricultural pursuits in Pennsylvania until his death in 1877. His mother died in 1894. ( .

During his boyhood and youth, Samuel Rankin remained with his parents in his native state, where he was educated, first in the elementary branches taught in the common schools, and then at DuflFs College, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, from which institution he was graduated in i86i. This education, although much above the average advantages of the youth of his day, did not fully satisfy him and consequently he entered Madison Institute, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in order to have specialized training for a profession. At the close of the course he engaged in teaching and followed this calling for a number of years. In 1864 he went to Colorado and there spent some months in military service against the Indians. The following three years he spent at home in Pennsylvania and, in 1867, severed the last close ties that bound him to the scenes of his childhood and came to the middle west, settling in Henry county, Illinois. There he farmed for nine years on rented land and at the end of this period bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Henry county. This remained in his possession for two years, when he sold it and removed to Knox county, buying a farm in Henderson township. He carried on general farming and feeding cattle for market with much success. A few years ago he temporarily retired, turning over the management of the farm to his son, but returned to the same and is now carrying on general farming as before. He owns two hundred and seventy-four acres of land in this county and farms it all. .;- --,;-- .^ . -',-/;-;;- :' .. i '^'V- ^-'.^j^-iS

Mr. Rankin was twice married. His first wife was Mary D. Henderson, a daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Dunlap) Henderson. Her father settled in this county in 1855 and in his manhood engaged in farming. He died in 1873 and his wife died in 1869. Mrs. Rankin passed to her future reward in the year 1886. She was the mother of five children, one of whom died in infancy. W. F., who is married and living in Cleveland, is a general agent for the Collier's Works. Mary E., the wife of Thomas Marks, resides in St. Louis. Samuel, Jr., married, is a farmer in Orange township, Knox county. Horace A., who is living .in Oklahoma, is married and the father of one child.

On December 3, 1889, Mr. Rankin was married to Miss Nancy A. Pitman, his present wife, at Henderson. Her parents, Gideon and Mary J. (Champion) Pitman, were old settlers in this county, where her father was a prosperous farmer. By his second marriage Mr. Rankin is the father of one child, Ralph E., living at home with his parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Rankin worship in the Methodist Episcopal church of Henderson. In his political views Mr. Rankin is a republican. He has given much : of his efforts and time to public service and for three terms was supervisor, for two terms assessor, and for two terms highway commissioner. Mr. Rankin is a public-spirited man actively interested in the advancement of the intellectual and social growth of his community. ,:..:/'"' '

Newton McDowell Milroy, who is engaged in farming and stock-raising in v;' Copley township, was born July 27, 1867, on his present homestead, his parents V being Alexander and Janette (McDowell) Milroy. The father came to his - present home in 1848, when a young man, and passed his entire active life upon -; that place until his retirement a few years before his death which occurred in ;/: Oneida on August 26, 1890, when he was sixty-nine years of age. In addition -'-.. to general farming he also engaged in general stock-raising. Mrs. Milroy was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (McCornack) McDowell and was bom on - the 5th of January, 1830. Her death occurred in March, 1908. They were the ' parents of eight children, of whom four survive : John P., a resident of Oneida ; . ; Maggie, who is the wife of N. Nish of Waukee, Iowa ; Jennie, who is the wife ' , of Charles Lansberry, of Iowa ; and Newton M., who is the subject of this "-: sketch. Mr. Milroy was a member of the John Knox church in which he took ;- an active interest, and was also very active in the republican party. :

Newton M. Milroy spent his boyhood and youth attending school until eigh- ; teen years of age, and then assisted his father on the home farm until he be- -. came of age. After that he farmed independently one hundred and forty acres of land which had been left to him by his father. So successful was this under- , taking that he has since been able to add one hundred and forty acres of land, ^- which adjoin the original farm. Upon this he is spending all his energy and labor. The farm is highly improved and well equipped with all the necessary - - buildings and machinery to carry on modern farming. By strict attention to - business and employing modem methods his farming and stock-raising has }': become one of the most profitable undertakings of the kind in the township.

In 1891, Mr. Milroy was married to Sarah Lavina Olmsted, whose birth occurred May 28, 1869, near Altona, and who is the only child of William H. and Lavina (Youngs) Olmsted. Mr. Olmsted was born in Delaware county, New York, and removed to Knox county with his parents in 1856, settling in Victoria, where he spent his active career in farming. However, eighteen years previous to his death which occurred in 1899, he removed to a residence near Victoria. Mrs. Olmsted, whose birth occurred in Victoria in 1841, passed away in 1908, she being the daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Missmore) Youngs, natives of Ohio, the former born August 23, 1796. Her paternal grandfather, Stephen S. Olmsted was an agriculturist and cabinet-maker, and was married to Clarissa McMorris. His death occurred in 1897. To Mr. and Mrs. Milroy six children have been born : Newton L., whose birth occurred December i8, 1891 ; Leslie F., who was born Aug^ist i8, 1893 ; Mary Ethelyn, born November 20, 1898; Lavina Jenette, born January 7, 1902; and Marietta Agnes and Bethea Margaret, who were born February 21, 1908, and March 22, 1911, respectively.

Mr. Milroy gives his political support to the republican party, and although he does not desire the reward of office he has served as school trustee because of his interest in the educational development of his community. Both he and his wife are church members. That Mr. Milroy is a member of a family who have long been landholders in the L'nited States is attested by the fact that he has in his possession a deed of land title signed by President Van Buren in 1840, and also one signed by President Tyler. Mr. Milroy is a man of high morals, and it has been a feature of his life to devote much of his time to further the moral and social development of his community, and his high aims and industry have won for him the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens.

Robert Davison

Among the younger agriculturists of Henderson township Robert Davison .stands out prominently as one who has worked for success along the most progressive lines. He was born in Henderson township, November 26, 1872, and is the son of Joseph and Isabella (Kilgore) Davison, the former a native of England and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father came to America in 1853 and almost immediately settled in Knox county, where he spent the remainder of his life, engaging in the shoemaking trade in Knoxville at first and next conducting a shoe store in Henderson, in which he had some eight or nine employes at one time. He conducted this business successfully until he began his career as an agriculturist on a farm of forty acres situated west of Hendersonville. This land was the nucleus of the extensive farm of four hundred and fifty acres which he owned at the time of his death, October 27, 1910. His marriage occurred, in 1872, in Henderson township and his wife is still living, her present home being in Watertown. In politics Mr. Davison g^ve his support to the republican party and served as township clerk for many years. He was identified with the Masonic order, belonging to Lodge No. 264, F. & A. M., of Henderson. . ...

Robert Davison received his education in the common schools and the Nor- .' -;. mal school at Abingdon, Illinois. Returning home after he had completed these --- .=^ courses, he assisted his father on the farm until he began his independent career in 1901, on the land which is his present home. This estate of one hundred and fifty acres shows how successful he has been as an agriculturist - the land yields abundantly, the buildings are modern and the machinery adequate for:, cultivation according to advanced and scientific methods. In addition to gen- ... eral farming Mr. Davison raises cattle and hogs for the eastern markets. ;

On November 28, 1901, Robert Davison was united in marriage to Mary ': --. E. Windom, the daughter of William and Mary (Folger) Windom, the former - '-v . a native and lifelong resident of Ohio, where for twenty years he was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Monroe county. The mother was also born in Ohio and was a resident of Monroe county for twenty years, before she came to Henderson, where she passed away in 1904. She was one of the eight children of Robert and Nancy (Haines) Folger, natives of New Hampshire county, ;.. Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Davison are the parents of one child, Joseph E., who is living at home. }']

In politics Mr. Davison is a member of the republican party and has served as township collector. He holds membership in the Methodist church of Hen- ,: derson. In both of these relations he is loyal and honorable and his example '. is one which has done much to further the integrity of his fellow citizens. He has earned for himself the name of a thorough and progressive agriculturist and has done much to develop his district and to raise its standard of cultivation and stock-raising. . -.,-. -..:,.-,. ,. ... - ^

Willard B. Goff, who resides on a farm of his mother's in Henderson town- ; : ship, is the descendant of a family which has long been connected with;/ agricultural pursuits. His parents, James F. and Mary J. (Baxter) GoflF, the V. V former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Ohio, carried on agricultural pursuits in Henderson township, Knox county. They had three children : Charles A., deceased; Willard B. Goff, who was born October 15, 1871; and Otis J., ' living in Galesburg. James Goff came to Knox county early in life and resided here almost continuously until his death in 1889. I" 1851 he joined the great number of people going west to the California gold fields and the family still has in its possession the saddle he used when returning.

Willard B. Goff received his education in the common schools, the Abingdon '--- Normal school and Brown's Business College in Galesburg. For the first three or four years after he had completed his education he was employed in a general store in Little York, Warren county, Illinois, and then went to Chicago and engaged in the commission business for six years. Returning to his father'sfarm when he gave up his Chicago business, he immediately took an active part , in farming the home place and has continued it up to the present time. The ^^' - farm consists of two hundred acres and is well adapted for raising cattle and hogs and also for general farming. 'y^ .,;;;;:;.-' ' '--- ..' :.-.^ :'-'.-.---; -';. : .1\ - :' of James and Mehitable (Smith) Reynolds. The father, a native of Sugar Grove, Illinois, was engaged in farming in Warren county until his death in 1889. In politics he was a prohibitionist, and in religious faith a member of the United Presbyterian church. Mr. and Mrs. GoflF have one child, Willard Percy, bom December 24, 1906.

Mr. Goff has proved his ability as an agriculturist by the success he has had in developing the farm he manages and his increasing returns show that a state of cultivation has been reached which could be attained only by careful . application of scientific and progressive methods. He has been engaged in this pursuit for a comparatively few years and yet has had time to establish his -. ; reputation as one of the successful agriculturists of Henderson township. . -

Mrs. Eliza A. Coleman, who resides on her farm of one hundred and twenty acres, on section 13 of Victoria township, was bom in Stark county. Illinois, February i6, 1854. She was a daughter of Joseph Kane, who was a native of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, born June 9, 1812, and moved when a small boy with his parents to Ohio, where he was reared and educated. The family later came to Illinois and settled near Canton. In Fulton county, Illinois, in 1833 Mr. Kane was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Heckard, who was bom near Baltimore, Maryland, July 2, i8i8, and was' a daughter of John Heckard, a native of that state. The parents resided in Fulton county for several years and then removed to Knox county, where they remained until December, 1858, when they repaired to Victoria township and spent the rest of their lives on the farm now owned by George Patty. The father was engaged in general farming and raised yearly a large number of hogs. He was a democrat in politics and much interested in education, serving many years as school director. He died April 13. 1895, and his wife, having preceded him by nearly fourteen years, died June 12, i88i, and they are both buried in West Jersey cemetery. In their family were thirteen children : Mary Ann, Jane, Charlotte, Samuel, John, James, Joseph, George and Miner, all of whom were bom in Fulton county, Illinois ; and Eliza A., William and Rosetta, who were born in Stark county; and an infant child, who was born and died in Knox county. :;- -: - l.f. .:-

Eliza A. Kane was five years of age when her parents removed to Victoria township, where she was reared and educated. She was trained to the duties of the household and remained at home with her parents until her marriage, which occurred March 14, i88i. At that date she became the wife of James Coleman, who was bom in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1830, the son of Samuel Coleman, a native of that state. James Coleman was reared under the parental roof and remained at home until 1858, when he came to Knox county, Illinois, arriving May 30. Shortly afterward he wedded Charlotte Kane, a sister of Eliza A. (Kane) Coleman. Charlotte (Kane) Coleman, who was a member of the Methodist church at West Jersey, Illinois, died at the age of thirty-nine years and is buried in West Jersey cemetery. She left

Mr. And Mrs. J.Uies Colemax

In February, 1903. I\Ir. Goff was married to Fra Reynolds, the daughter of James and Mehitable (Smith) Reynolds. The father, a native of Sugar Grove, Illinois, was engaged in farming in Warren county until his death in 1889. In politics he was a prohibitionist, and in religious faith a member of the United Presbyterian church. Mr. and Mrs. Goff have one child, Willard Percy, born December 24, 1906.

Mr. Goff has i)rove(l his ability as an agriculturist by the success he has had in developing the farm he manages and his increasing returns show that a state of cultivation has been reached which could be attained only by careful application of scientific and progressive methods. lie has been engaged in this pursuit for a comparatively few years and yet has had time to establish his reputation as one of the successful agriculturists of Henderson township.

Mrs. Eliza A. Colemax

Mrs. Eliza A. Coleman, who resides on her farm of one hunrlred and twenty acres, on section 13 of Victoria township, was born in Stark county. Illinois, February i6, 1854. She was a daughter of Joseph Kane, who was a native of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, born June 9, 1812, and moved when a small boy with his parents to Ohio, where he was reared and educated. The family later came to Illinois and settled near Canton. In Fulton county, Illinois, in 1833 Mr. Kane was united in marriage to Miss P.arbara ITeckard, who was born near Baltimore, Maryland, July 2, i8i8, and was a daughter of John Ileckard, a native of that state. The parents resided in Fulton county for several years and then removed to Knox county, where they remained until December, 1858, when they repaired to Victoria township and spent the rest of their lives on the farm now owned by George Patty. The father was engaged in general farming and raised yearly a large number of hogs. He was a democrat in politics and much interested in education, serving many years as school director. He died April 13, 1895, and his wife, having preceded him by nearly fourteen years, died June 12, i88i, and they are both buried in West Jersey cemetery. In their family were thirteen children : Mary Ann, Jane, Charlotte, Samuel, John, James, Joseph, George and Miner, all of whom were born in Fulton county, Illinois; and Eliza A., William and Kosetta, who were born in Stark county: and an infant child, who was born and dieil in Knox county.

Eliza .\. Kane was five years of age when her parents removed to \'ictoria township, where she \vas reared and educated. She was trained to the duties of the household and remained at home with her parents until her marriage, which occurred March 14, i88i. At that date she became the wife of James Coleman, who was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1830, the son of Samuel Coleman, a native of that state. James Coleman was reared under the parental roof and remained at home until 1858, when he came to Knox county, Illinois, arriving May 30. Shortly afterward he wedded Charlotte Kane, a sister of Eliza A, (Kane) Coleman. Charlotte (Kane) Coleman, who was a member of the Methodist church at West Jersey, Illinois, died at the age of thirty-nine years and is buried in West Jersey cemetery. She left '- five children, the oldest of whom, a daughter, is now deceased. After their marriage James and Eliza A. (Kane) Coleman lived on the farm on which Mrs. Coleman now resides and there Mr. Coleman was actively engaged in general farming. His business insight, energy and perseverance brought to him a goodly measure of success and Mrs. Coleman is now comfortably situated in life. They were the parents of four children. Qyde, who is a graduate of Toulon Academy and of Williams College at Williamstown, Massachusetts, is now a graduate student in the chemistry department of the University of Chicago. In 1910 he was a teacher in the Military Academy at Culver, Indiana. Francis J. resides at home with his mother and operates the home place. Ada and Susie L, who complete the family, are both living at home. The death of the husband and father occurred on November 20, 1904, and he is buried in West Jersey cemetery. His death was deeply regretted by his many friends and was an irreparable loss to his immediate family. He was a republican in politics, a citizen of progressive spirit, who was much interested in all that pertains to the public welfare. He gave much attention to the cause of education and served as school director throughout most of the time of his residence in Knox county. He attended the Methodist Episcopal church of West Jersey, services of which organization, Mrs. Coleman, who is a lady of many good traits of heart and mind, and whose life is in harmony with her Christian profession, also faithfully attends. She has passed much of her life in Victoria township and has a large circle of friends, in whose regard she stands very high. . '-'''"'

One of the substantial citizens of Abingdon and of prominent standing in his community is William Snider, whose birth occurred in Clermont county, Ohio, November 4, 1835. His parents, Abraham and Elizabeth (Meyers) Snider, both died of the cholera, in 1849, leaving their son William an orphan at the age of thirteen years. Thrown wholly upon his own resources in the tender years of his youth, he cast about for a suitable occupation. Farming lay nearest at hand, and this he pursued for some little time. He then went to Goshen, where he found employment, dividing his time between farm work and, for a time, work in a cabinet-maker's shop. He continued as a farm hand in the summer and a teamster in the winter months. In 1855 ^^<^ the year following he operated a threshing machine.

- William Snider was married to Miss Angelina C. Harvey of Clermont county near Goshen. Two weeks after their marriage, the bridal couple set out in a wagon overland for Knox county, Illinois, where they began housekeeping and spent the winter. In the spring of the following year Mr. Snider bought a farm in Chestnut township, seven miles southeast of Abingdon. There they lived for seven years. In the spring of 1864 he returned to Abingdon and bought a home on the site where his present residence stands, living there for the following two years. He then bought what is known as the Mound farm, a tract of one hundred and eighty acres, two miles east of Abingdon, where the family lived for another period of two years. In 1868 he yearned again for the comforts of town life, so he repurchased his former residence and property in Abingdon, living there for a brief period. The year 1869 he spent in the Rocky mountains, and on his return in the spring of 1870 purchased a one hundred and sixty-acre farm, one and one-half miles east of Abingdon, where he built a home, residing there until the spring of 1875. At this time he again repurchased and occupied his former town home. The spacious colonial house in which he is now living was built in 1884 and was the first handsome residence erected in Abingdon. v;;> ' , . ' v- ~\"_. . '-:---- i: : >'l' \^ ' .: ' '

In business enterprises William Snider has always dealt on a large scale. For more than forty years he was an extensive cattle buyer and shipper, doing the greater part of the cattle shipping of this section. He was, besides, one of the most extensive stock men in Knox county, feeding, on an average, a thousand head of sheep, one hundred and fifty head of cattle and between three and four hundred head of hogs annually. As a necessary adjunct to his cattlebreeding industry he invested heavily in farm lands at various times. In 1878, he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres and, in 1880, another farm of two hundred and forty acres, both in Indian Point township. These he operated with hired help for a number of years, using the produce of the same for feeding his stock. During this period he also acquired three farms in Iowa. Two of these were in Taylor county, one consisting of two hundred acres and the other of one hundred and forty acres. The third was a tract of two hundred acres in Van Buren county. In 1909, however, he disposed of the last of his farm holdings, having retained his two farms in Indian Point township up to that time.

To Mr. and Mrs. Snider no children were born. Mr. Snider has always been actively interested in politics and served on the republican county central committee for a period of about sixteen years. Beyond this honor, however, he always consistently refused to consider public preferment of any kind. Since 1864 he has been a member of the Abingdon Lodge, No. 184, I. O. O. F. Throughout his life Mr. Snider has met with more than the average degree of success, due to his daring enterprise and his untiring application to his duties. He thinks and acts in large units, but never to the neglect of the important details which are essential in the conduct of every business. In his own community he is highly esteemed and claims many friends, and few men of this vicinity enjoy a wider acquaintance in the adjoining counties.

Clark Andrew Main

Clark Andrew Main, who is an agriculturist in Walnut Grove township, was born December i8, 1879, upon the farm on which he is now residing. He is the grandson of Peter and Jane (Ferguson) Main, the former having come to America with his three children after the death of his wife in Scotland. After arriving in Chicago they proceeded directly to Knox county, but subsequently went to Minnesota for a short residence before returning to this county, where his death occurred May i, 1878, at the age of sixty-nine. Clark Main is the son of Andrew and Ellen (Moore) Main, the former having been born Decem- ber 6, 1846, in Mothler, Ayrshire, Scotland, and the latter in Rio township, on the I3th of March, 1848. Mr. Main arrived in America when he was but seven years of age, and was in Chicago during the time of the cholera epidemic, which caused the death of his only sister. Mrs. Main was the daughter of Lyman K. and Mary S. (Woodman) Moore, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Massachusetts. The paternal grandfather, Holland Moore, of New York, was married to Sarah Kendall. Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Moore came west early in life and located in Rio township, where they were engaged in agricultural pursuits until their death, Mr. Moore passing away in 1885 at the age of seventy-one years and his wife dying the same year. -Mr. and Mrs. Main were the parents of three children : J. Edwin, who is an agriculturist residing at Altona; Kate, who is married to Walter D. McMasters, a resident farmer of Walnut Grove township; and Clark A., the subject of this sketch. - Mr. Main never took an active part in politics but was a prominent member of the Presbyterian church in Altona.

Clark Main's boyhood and youth were spent in a way common to the youth born and reared on the farms in the Mississippi valley. After laying aside his text-books at an early age, he took up farming upon his father's farm, and there gained his first experience in the occupation he was to follow throughout his active career. After his father's death he took full charge of the homestead, and showed his early training had given him the ability to execute the work which was entrusted to him. In addition to general farming he also engaged in stock-raising.

Mr. Main was married on the i8th of January, 1905, to Kate Rhodes, whose birth occurred February 12, 1883, and who is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs E. B. Rhodes. Her grandparents were Edwin R. and Sarah (Bartlett) Rhodes. E. B. Rhodes is a resident of Mason City, Iowa, and was married to Mary L. Epperson, whose death occurred in 1884, when she was twenty-one years of age. She was the daughter of William D. and Mary Jane (Westfall) Epperson, originally of Madison county, Kentucky, but who were residents of Knox county after 1836. :-.;;..:'-;.- v : / .^-^''^- ' '

In politics 'Mr. Main gives his support to the republican party, but has never sought office as a reward for party fealty. In religious faith he is a member of the Presbyterian church of Altona, and lives in accordance with its teachings. By his devotion to his farm and by his life, which has been spent in accordance with the hiehest ideals of citizenship, he has won for himself the respect and esteem of all.

John Junk, an octogenarian living in peaceful retirement in Henderson township, Knox county, was formerly closely associated with the agricultural interests of this locality. Born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, May 6, 1827, he was a son of James and Elizabeth (Lincoln) Junk. On his paternal side he was of German descent, his grandfather having been born in Germany and settled in New Jersey on coming to this country, in the middle of the eighteenth century. From there he went to Pennsylvania, in 1765, where he engaged in farming on a large scale, owning over two hundred acres of land. There his son James, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born. On coming of age James Junk engaged in agriculture, the calling which he followed throughout his life. His death occurred in 1877. Mrs. Junk, the mother of John, was a relative of Abraham Lincoln.

In the days when John Junk was a boy, the advantages of schooling were meager indeed, he was, however, given the best education that the limited opportunities of his remote rural locality afforded, which was at that time a subscription or private school presided over by a curiously interesting Irish schoolmaster. When grown to manhood John Junk learned the carpenter and millwright trades. He came west and settled in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1855. There he was about to enter upon a business career with G. W. Brown, who had a corn-planter factory, but he had no sooner begun his new work than he was given a contract from ex-Governor McMurtry to work on the new buildings which he was erecting on his farm. Next he built a schoolhouse and thereafter other contracts followed, so that he never lacked employment in carpentering. He worked as an artisan three or four years when his wife, disliking his long absences from home since his work often took him to distant parts of the county, prevailed upon him to settle on a farm and cultivate the soil. Accordingly he commenced farming. In 1865, he bought the farm in Henderson township which he still owns but which his son is managing for him. It is a very fine tract of land comprising four hundred and thirty acres. His son is continuing the work in which he was so successful, that is, general farming and stock-raising. He also made a specialty of breeding shorthorn cattle, for which he won a considerable reputation.

On November 28, 1855, John Junk was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Robertson, a daughter of Alexander and Narcissa (Ferguson) Robertson, pioneers of Knox county, who settled here in 1828 when her father purchased a farm. Mr. and Mrs. John Junk are the parents of one child, Alexander, who lives at home and operates his father's farm. Mr. Junk gives his political sympathies to the democratic party. He has at different times served as supervisor, assessor, road commissioner and as town clerk. Now, within sight of the fields that have grown very dear to him through the passing years, Mr. Junk is living in comfort, looking back upon his life with the calm serenity of one who has performed his duty well.

Like a patriarch of old, David Woolsey, who is in his eighty-fourth year, presides at the head of a family of eight children and thirty-three grandchildren, but unlike his forefathers of Biblical days he governs them only in spirit and by the noble example of his own life. David Woolsey's residence in Knox county covers a period of sixty-three years, and for the past forty-six years he has lived on his present farm of three hundred acres on section 13 in Haw Creek settled in New Jersey on coming to this country, in the middle of the eighteenth century. From there he went to Pennsylvania, in 1765, where he engaged in farming on a large scale, owning over two hundred acres of land. There his son James, the father of the suhject of this sketch, was horn. On coming of age James Junk engaged in agriculture, the calling which he followed throughout his life. His death occurred in 18/7. Mrs. Junk, the mother of John, was a relative of Ahraham Lincoln.

In the days when John Junk was a hoy. the advantages of schooling were meager indeed, he was. however, given the hest education that the limited opportunities of his remote rural locality afforded, which was at that time a suhscription or private school presided over by a curiously interesting Irish schoolmaster. When grown to manhood John Junk learned the carpenter and millwright trades. lie came west and settled in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1855. There he was about to enter upon a business career with G. W. Brown, who had a corn-planter factory, but he had no sooner begun his new work than he was given a contract from ex-Governor McMurtry to work on the new buildings which he was erecting on his farm. Next he built a schoolhouse and thereafter other contracts followed, so that he never lacked employment in carpentering. He worked as an artisan three or four years when his wife, disliking his long absences from home since his work often took him to distant parts of the county. i)revaile<l upon him to settle on a farm and cultivate the soil. .Accordingly he commenced fanning. In 1865. he bought the farm in Henderson township which he still owns but which his son is managing for him. It is a very fine tract of land comprising four hundred and thirty acres. His son is continuing the work in which he was so successful, that is. general farming and stock-raising. He also made a specialty of breeding shorthorn cattle, for which he won a considerable rejiutation.

On November 28. 1855, John Junk was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Robertson, a daughter of .Alexander and Narcissa (Ferguson) Robertson, pioneers of Knox county, who settled here in 1828 w-hen her father purchased a farm. Mr. and Mrs. John Junk are the parents of one child, Alexander, who lives at home and operates his father's farm. Mr. Junk gives his political sympathies to the democratic party. He has at different times served as supervisor, assessor, road commissioner and as town clerk. Now, within sight of the fields that have grown very dear to him through the passing years. Mr. Junk is living in comfort, looking back upon his life with the calm serenity of one who has performed his duty well.

T.ike a patriarch of old. David \Voolsey. who is in his eightv-fourth year, presides at the head of a family of eight children and thirty-three grandchildren. but unlike his forefathers of Biblical days he governs them only in spirit and by the noble example of his own life. David Woolsey's residence in Knox county covers a period of sixty-three years, and for the past forty-six years he has lived on his present farm of three hundred acres on section 13 in Ha\v Creek

-;'; township. His grandfather, William Woolsey, remained a resident of his native state, New York, until middle life, when he removed his family to Sandusky. Plains, Ohio, where he lived until his death at the age of about eighty years, his wife departing this life at an earlier date. His father, Hezekiah Woolsey, . was born and brought up in Ulster county. New York, and was there married to Miss Hannah Cutler, likewise a native of Ulster county, where her father, David Cutler, was born. During Mr. and Mrs. Hezekiah Woolsey's residence in Ulster county. New York, two children came to gladden their home, a son named William, who died in Pennsylvania at the age of eight years, and David Woolsey, born January 3, 18^8. The family then removed to Pennsylvania, '-' following Mrs. Woolsey's father thither, and lived there a year during which ., time their daughter Elizabeth was born. She is the wife of Daniel McHenry of the state of Washington and has five children. At the end of their year's residence in Pennsylvania the family left that state for Sandusky Plains, Ohio, . . where the parents remained until their death. There the following children I were born: Sarah Jane, deceased, the wife of Stephen Longnell; Martha, de- : ceased, the wife of William Talent; Mary, deceased; Walter, deceased, a former ' .' resident of Knox county, married to a Miss Leighbarger ; Isaac, deceased, also a former resident of Knox county, living at Gilson; Silas residing in the state of Washington ; and two children, a girl and a boy, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Hezekiah Woolsey were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, the .' former dying in Ohio at the age of sixty years and the latter in Knox county, Illinois, at the age of fifty-six years. .,..-- ' -- >'

David Woolsey obtained his education in Ohio and when twenty years of age came to Knox county, Illinois, having a capital of ninety dollars on which to make his start in life. After living here five years he returned to Ohio with a team, in order to bring his widowed mother to live with him in Knox county. Soon after this he was married and settled on a farm which he rented in Maquon township, continuing in the cultivation of this land and in performing job contracts for his neighbors for ten years, removing thereafter to a farm which he rented in Haw Creek township. In the spring of 1865 he bought with the money he had laboriously saved up to this time the farm on which he now lives retired, and which he bought of Jacob Wolf. He moved onto the new place on April 5th, at which time the house was not yet completed nor a single fence was up. Undaunted in his determination not to lose the opportunity of the first year's harvest he set about the task of doing his spring sowing while attempting to finish his home, to build the necessary farm buildings and to put up the fences. He was successful in this ambitious undertaking and when the summer crops were gathered, was richly rewarded with an abundant yield, being obliged to hire help for only five days 'during that time. He devoted himself to general cultivation of the soil and to stock-raising for shipment and from time to time added to his holdings by further purchases until he became the owner of more than a section of land. This he has since largely divided among his children keeping the title to three hundred acres of land and residing there while it is being operated by several of his sons. He was likewise a stockholder in the Maquon National Bank but has transferred his bank stock to his wife, who is now the owner of it.

Mr. David Woolsey was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Frye, a native of Ohio, who died in Maquon township at the age of thirty-five years. To this marriage were born three children, Leta, William and one who died in infancy.

Mr. Woolsey was ngain married, in 1856, his second union being with Miss Mildred Logan, a native of Virginia and a daughter of Alexander Logan. Of this union there were born ten children, five of whom are living. They are: Alva, residing in Haw Creek township, who is married to Flora Hall and has four children. Myrtle, ^label, and twins, Carter and Chester ; Lenora, the widow of William Chase, who resides in Haw Creek township and has four living children, Nina, Doris, Wayne and Paul ; Julia, the wife of Milton Sherman, residing in Oklahoma, who has six children, Harold, Everett, Clyde, Mildred, Carl and Mabel ; Charles, operating his father's farm, who is married to Bell Phillips and has three children, Lloyd, Percy and Opal ; and Clyde, sharing the management of the homestead farm with his brother Charles, who is married to Lulu Phillips and has two children, Mabel and Ethel. The deceased children are : Alonza, who died when two years of age ; Arzella, who passed away in January, 1912, and was the wife of Frank Nelson, residing in Elba township, leaving five children, Floyd, Blanche, Warren, Russell and Selma ; Louisa, who died at the age of seven months ; William, who was married to Nora Taylor, and had two sons, Harley and Taylor ; and Deborah, who died at the age of twenty years. . --.'/";';..-:----;--.' . .---:^^ ----.;'-, ':'T.--'':-

Mr. and Mrs. David Woolsey belong to the United Brethren church. Fraternally Mr. Woolsey is connected with the Odd Fellows, of Maquon. Since the origin of the republican party he has been one of their loyal followers, supporting their men and measures and the principles for which they stand, but he has always declined the honor of public office, knowing that his time belonged to his family and to the perplexing problems involved in the management of a large estate. This single-minded devotion to his duties and to the goal which he set himself at the outset of his career has been richly rewarded, so that he is now numbered among the substantial men of Knox county who have built their fortune by arduous labor, keen judgment and careful management.

Charles E. Weech, who is a farmer residing in Walnut Grove township, was born in Knox county, on the I3th of June, 1869. He is a son of Joseph S. and Nancy E. (Cox) Weech, the former a native of Somersetshire, England, and the latter of Knoxville, Illinois. The father was a son of Joseph and Martha (White) Weech, the former of whom died in 1871, at the age of fiftyseven years. Joseph Weech left England with his wife and ten children, in 1859, and at once settled in Oneida, Illinois. Later he purchased the present Weech homestead and until the end of his active career engaged in farming. Mrs. Weech's parents were also natives of England ; her death occurred in 1892, at the age of seventy-seven years. The great-grandfather of our subject, Stephen Weech, was also an agriculturist and his death occurred in 1846, at the age of eighty-five years, his wife passing away at the age of eighty-seven.

Joseph S. Weech, the father of our subject, was born January i6, 1842, and came with his parents to the new world in 1859. Here he engaged in farming . at home until he was twenty-four years of age but after his marriage, at that .- . time, he purchased a small farm of forty acres in Walnut Grove township, .

^ which he cultivated for three years before disposing of it and purchasing the property upon which the homestead now stands. At this time the place com- . , prised eighty acres and was the property of a brother before Joseph S. Weech acquired title thereto. Since 1901 he has been living retired. He was married '. to Nancy E. Cox, whose birth occurred in Knoxville and who is sixty-seven ; ; years of age. Her parents, David and Hannah (Wooley) Cox, are among the ' oldest settlers of the county. To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Weech ten children - were born: Charles, the subject of this sketch; Rosa, residing at home; Alice, .

the wife of E. Fudge; Ida May, who is married to Amos Beard, of Jefferson county, Illinois; Joseph, who is wedded to Emma Fuchs and is residing in - .' Walnut Grove township; Martha, who is living at home; Nora, who is the wife . - of Arthur Reece, of Walnut Grove township ; Arthur, who married Mabel ; - White and is a resident of Idaho; Winnie, who is the wife of Enos Devore, and - ' is residing in Cass county, Iowa; and Etta, living at home. Joseph S. Weech is a member of the Methodist church of Oneida, which he has supported by his - liberal donations both at the time of the erection of its new building and annually toward its current expenses and he has held the office of township road . ':: commissioner for several terms. -'^. .. {:? . ' ...".'' .

began working on his father's farm, on which he continued until he was twenty- ' one years of age, after which he farmed on the Joseph Weech property for six - general farming and stock-raising ever since. His success in this undertaking ' . is due to the untiring energy and persistent labor which he has displayed in cultivating the property. His farm comprises eighty acres in Knox county, and i - he also owns two hundred and forty acres in Canada. V

8, 1828, and the latter of Norwich, New York state. Mrs. Charles E. Weech ; was born on the 3Oth of September, 1870, in Walnut Grove township. Her ..::/, father came to America as a young man and located at once in Knox county, where he devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, dying at Oneida when seventy years of age. Mrs. Davey, whose birth occurred June ii, 1844, a daughter of : . J. H. and Amanda (Walworth) Wagner, the family being of German descent, . { passed away August 22, 1899, when fifty-five years of age. Her great-grand- - -. father, Wagner, served in the Mexican war and Thomas Davey, her grand- > ' . father on the paternal side, was a native of England, as was his father, Samuel .f Davey. Mrs. Charles E. Weech was one of four children, the others being: Nellie, the wife of J. Sheffield, of Campbell, Nebraska; Emma, who is married -; . to George Sloan, a resident of North Dakota; and George Thomas, of Yates , ; .; City. To Mr. and Mrs. Weech seven children have been born: Ethel, who '' . died at the age of five years; Eva Adelia, who is nineteen years of age and is \ -; teaching school; and Florence, Charles Edward, Hazel Leonora, Clarence Davey ;- ' .

Mr. Weech gives his political support to the republican party and has served as school director for twenty-two years. He holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America of Oneida. He is a lifelong resident of Knox county and because of his success in his agricultural pursuits he has become one of its well known and much respected citizens.

William Main, who is now living retired in Altona, has been closely identified with the agricultural development of Knox county. He is one of the sturdy and thrifty natives of Scotland whose natural characteristics so well fitted them to achieve successful careers in the west, and although his life record is not marked by exciting events, there is in his history much that is worthy of contemplation and of emulation, for he has ever been loyal to duty, discharging faithfully the tasks that come daily to his hand. He was born May 12, 1844, in Blackhill on the banks of the Ayr river in Ayrshire, Scotland, and is the son of Peter and Jane (Ferguson) Main and grandson of Peter and Elizabeth (McKuan) Main, agriculturists who originally come from the Scotch Highlands. The father, whose birth occurred in Galloway, Scotland, in 1809, came to the United States in 1855, going directly to Chicago, where occurred the death of one of his daughters who had contracted cholera. After a brief stay in that city he removed to Millers Station and subsequently settled in Oneida. where he worked by the month until 1857. In that year he removed to Minnesota, but in the fall of 1857 returned to Oneida, and for the next eight years was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Copley township. In this he met with a good measure of success but retired to the home of his son, where on May i, 1878, his death occurred. His wife died in Scotland in 1848 at the age of twenty-eight years. Of his family of three children William Main, the subject of this sketch, is the only surviving member. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and lived in accordance with its teachings. - , - )-- - . :

William Main spent his early years attending the common schools until he reached the age of twelve years. At that time he began active labor and did a man's work on a farm, hiring out for board and clothes. Subsequently, as he became more proficient, he earned ten dollars a month, and after working for two years, he enlisted in Ontario township, in 1862, at the age of eighteen years, in Company I, One Hundred and Second Illinois Infantry, under the command of Captain F. C. Smith. Mr. Main has a wonderful war record and served in the Western army under Sherman and Gordon Granger for three years, and later under Sherman in the Atlanta campaign. He participated in the battles from Chattanooga to Atlanta but was never wounded and, more remarkable yet, never attended sick call. He accompanied Sherman on his march to the sea, in which the hardships incident to fighting were even more bearable than those caused by the swamps to be passed. On the 6th of March, 1865, he was mustered out, marching through Washington in the grand review. He imme-

- In 1873 Mr. Main was married to Anna Andrews, whose birth occurred ,- . March 15, 1849, '" Ayrshire, Scotland, and who was a daughter of Hugh and

- children born to her parents, the others being: John Andrews, a stock buyer , :. of Altona; Thomas Andrews, an agriculturist; Grace, who is the wife of

John Emery McMaster, who owns and operates a farm in Walnut Grove township, Knox county, was born in that township on the 6th of August, 1873, his parents being Mr. and Mrs. John McMaster of Altona, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. ^^ .''"---' .:t

John E. ]\IcMaster spent his early days at home attending school and assisting his father on the farm, but in 1898 he started upon his independent career and on September 8 of that year was engaged as fireman by the Chicago & North Western Railway and subsequently in 1903 passed the examinations qualifying him to act as engineer on that railroad, he being one of the five that passed their tests with credits of one hundred per cent, chosen out of two hundred and fifty appH- ; , cants. During the next three years he was thus employed but at the end of that time he entered upon agricultural pursuits and for the past five years has been engaged in farming and stock-raising, meeting with the success which his persistency, industry and progressiveness merit.

in a clerical position until her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. McMaster two children have been born : Lola Mae, who is seven years of age ; and Bequerth, who

- In politics Mr. McMaster is a republican although he has never sought or . . desired the honors or emoluments of office. He holds membership in Lodge

Elias C. Call, who is now living retired in Altona, Knox county, was born in Rutland county, Vermont, on the 22d of June, 1835, his parents being Osman and Olive (Clark) Call. His grandfather, Isaiah Call, was the first member of the family to leave his native state and locate in this county. He came here at the time the Mormons had extensive settlements in this locality. After settling in Walnut Grove township he devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits and the brickmaking trade, he being the first brickmaker in this county. Osman Call was born at Woodstock. Vermont, in 1808, and followed the brickmaker's trade until he removed to Illinois in January, 1855, and settled in Knox county.

Mr. And Mrs. Elias C. Call

with credits of one huiKlred ]>er cent, chosen out of two hundred and fifty applicants. During the next three years he was tlnis em])loyecl hut at the end of that time he entered U])on agricultural i)ursuits and for the past five years has heen engaged in farming and stock-raising, meeting with the success which his persistency, industry and ])n)gressivencss merit.

On A])ril 20. 1<;O3. Mr. .McMaster was married to Miss Minerva Locke. whose hirth occurred August 17. 1879. in Jewell county, Kansas, and who is a (laughter of Clintun and Xettie (Clark) Locke, the former a native of Davis county. Iowa, where he was horn in 1851. He was a son of John and Mary (Miller) Locke, the former coming to America when he was twelve years of age and settling near Xashville. Tennessee. Later he removed to Xorth Carolina and his death occurred when he was ninety years of age. Mrs. Locke died in i8<j8. at the age of eighty-four years. Mrs. Clinton Locke was Ixirn March 6, 1855. in Sacramento. California, her ])arents l)eing Frank and Catherine (A'anderford ) C'lark. tlic former having heen engaged in the mercantile husiness. The Clark familv settle<l in C'alifornia in 1832 hut later removed to Iowa, where the fatlier <lie(l January 17. bSr/), at the age of forty-four years, the mother still residing in Swan. Marion county. \\'hen Mr. Clark crossed the jilains from Red Rock. Iowa, he was one of a family of fifteen, who were making the journey. It took tliem five montlis to reach the coast and the entire trij) was frauglit with many dangers, the linlians met en route heing particularly hostile. To Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Locke four children were horn, namely: I'loyd. a resident of Clinton. Iowa: John, who is living in Keno. Xevada : Mrs. Minerva McMaster; and Rea. of Rock Island. After finishing school .Mrs. McMaster was employed in a clerical position until lier marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. McMaster two children have heen horn: Lola Mae. who is seven years of age; and liecjuerth. who is five years of age.

In politics Mr. McMaster is a rei)uhlican although he has never sought or <lesired the honor.- or emoluments of office, lie holds memhership in Lodge ^''>- 330- -^^ I'- "i^' -\- ^f" "^ Altona. Illinois, and hoth he and his wife helong to the llaptist cluirch of I'.oone. Iowa. Mr. McMa-ter has always heen a resident of the ccnuity and has given practically his whole attention to farming, today being recognized as one of \\'alnut Grove township's jjrogressive and al)le agriculturists. .

Elias C. Call, who is now living retired in .\ltona. Knox county, was horn in Rutland county. X'ermont. on the 22(1 of June. i8_^5. his i)arents heing f^sman and Olive (Clark) Call. His grandfather. Isaiah Call, was the first memher of the family to leave his native state and locate in this county. He came here at the time the Mormons had e.xtensive settlements in this locality. After settling in Walnut Cirove township he devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits and the hrickmaking trade, he heing the first hrickmaker in this county. Osman Call was horn at Woodstock. \'ennont. in 1808. and followed the hrickmaker's trade until he removed to Illinois in January. 1855, and settled in Knox county.

f: V. Later in life he became an authority on arithmetic and was the author of a well : -. known text-book on that subject. Mrs. Call was a daughter of J. Clark, a '%; native of England, and her death occurred in Altona in 1895, at the age of : .V eighty-five years and six months. Of this union three children survive: Elias, ;-> the subject of this review; Roenna Seymore, who is residing in Indianapolis, ,-; Indiana; and Loyal, who is living in California and who served in the Civil war. ,-. Elias C. Call received his early education in the common schools, after ':'.'-' which he accepted employment by the month on various farms and subsequently -.worked in a sawmill in New York state previous to coming to Altona in 1854. - On the 22d of April, i86i, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining ; Company F of the Twenty-second New York Infantry under Colonel Phelps, ";' - serving in the Army of the Potomac near Washington. Because of severe illness V -. contracted during the service he was mustered out in 1863, the same year in '; -- which his brother, who served in the Chicago Battery of Artillery, was made a prisoner at Andersonville. After Elias Call's honorable discharge he went to New York state and was again employed for a short time in a sawmill, but in 1864 he removed to Altona, making the trip by way of Canada. From that time he engaged in agricultural pursuits and, although he is now living retired, he still manifests an active interest in the farming problems of the county. In the cultivation of his property he met with the success which is usually gained in this rich agricultural district by the farmer who shows persistent and unremitting energy and who is willing to engage in constant labor.

Mr. Call has been twice married. His first union was to Miss Olive Haines, and to them two sons were born : William H., who is a teacher in Utah ; and Charles W., who is residing in Hubert, Crow Wing county, Minnesota. . Mr. Call's second union was to Mrs. Mary Huntly White, who was the widow of Peter White and whose birth occurred in 1836 in McConnellsville, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Call is the mother of two children by her first husband, Joseph Stillwagon, namely, Alice Stillwagon and Elizabeth Stillwagon. Of her union to Peter White there were born eight children, Sadie, George, Levi, Henry, Ida, Mary, Delia and David. ' ;;- -; '/'/;^- ' ' - -

Without desire for office as a reward for party fealty Mr. Call gives his unfaltering allegiance to the democratic party. He was a representative farmer and by his application and sturdy character has gained many friends, and he and his wife are held in high regard by all who claim the honor of their acquaintance. ,-.--,- .-:.:;>-.-. ;, - ^ - n..--: ..:;-\ .\ ..-^--,- -. ^-:- --- .--i y,--.*..^ ;,--.-- -

In legislative service, to which he has three times been called by popular s frage, and in the practice of law Hon. Edward J. King has given evidence of strong mentality, keen insight, a public spirit and devotion to duty that rank him with the representative and valued citizens of Galesburg. He was born in Spring- . field, Massachusetts, July i, 1867, and in both the paternal and maternal lines i? a representative of old New England families. The line of descent in the King family can be traced back in this country to about 1660, when the American progenitor settled in Suffield, Connecticut. Captain Thaddeus King, the greatgreat-grandfather, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The great-grandfather was John King, also a native and resident of Connecticut. The grandparents of our subject, Albert and Louise (Leavitt) King, were natives of Connecticut, where the former followed the occupation of farming to the age of sixty-five years, when his life's labors were ended in death. His wife long survived him and reached the remarkable old age of ninety years. They were the parents of two sons and a daughter : John A. ; Francis, who died at Suffield, Connecticut; and Mrs. Julia Randall. ,S .; - j . .i'V

John A. King, the father of Edward J. King, was born in Connecticut, spending his youthful days in Suffield, whence in early manhood he removed to Springfield, Massachusetts, where he carried on business as a contractor and builder. In that state he wedded Alice L. Houghton, a native of Massachusetts, and a daughter of Albert and Louise (Rolph) Houghton. Her father was born in Connecticut and was an engineer on the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad. His wife was a descendant of a British officer. Mr. -and Mrs. Houghton made their home in Springfield, Massachusetts, for many years but afterward went to Windsor, Connecticut. Mrs. Houghton is still living in Suffield, Connecticut, at the unusual old age of ninety years. They were the parents of the following children : Edward, who died at Sacramento, California, about 1906; Alice L., the wife of John A. King; Elizabeth, who married Charles Mead, of Springfield ; Mrs. George Duncan, afterwards intermarried with Frank Fisher, a widow ; Annie, the wife of Walter Fogg, of Springfield, Massachusetts; Emma, the wife of Frank Leonard; and ^Martha, the wife of George Wallace, of Suffield, Connecticut.

Mr. and Mrs. John A. King began their domestic life in Springfield, Massachusetts, and about 1870 removed to Hamburg, Iowa, whence in 1877 after re- . siding in various places, the father came to Galesburg, where for a number of years he engaged in the livery business. During the past ten years, however, he has conducted a grain business in Chicago. He was a soldier of the Civil war, serving as a private in Company A, of the Forty-sixth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party and his membership relations are with the Odd Fellows society. His wife, who was a member of the Baptist church, died in Springfield, Massachusetts, in the opening decade of the twentieth century at the age of fifty-seven years. They had but two children and the daughter, Louise, died at the age of seventeen years. Mrs. Alice L. King, the mother of our subject, married a second time, becoming Mrs. Lombard, of Springfield, Massachusetts, and there were children of that union. '-.--:>.- f. . . .

Edward J. King spent his early boyhood in Springfield, Massachusetts, and in Windsor and Suffield, Connecticut, on New England farms and in attending the common schools there. He has been a resident of Illinois since 1880, at which time he took up his abode in Galesburg and was a pupil in the public schools until graduated from the high school in 1886. Later he entered Knox College and is numbered among its alumni of 1891. He taught for one year before entering college and after the completion of his course at Knox took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1893, since which time he has followed his profession in Galesburg, having here an extensive practice that connects him with much of the important litigation tried in the courts of the district. He always prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care and his careful analysis enables him to present his points in logical form and to draw therefrom correct conclusions.

On the ist of January, 1895, Mr. King was married to Miss May B. Roberts, a daughter of Rev. H. P. and Anna (Blanchard) Roberts. Mrs. King was born in Cairo, Illinois, where her father, a Congregational minister, was preaching. He served throughout the Civil war as a lieutenant and chaplain and died while on a visit in Colorado in 1887. He was, however, a resident of Galesburg at the time. His wife survived until September, 1896, and passed away at the age of sixty-four years. They were the parents of but two children, the elder daughter being Nellie A., who is now the widow of Fred S. Rockwell and resides in Denver with her son, Robert B. Rockwell. The younger daughter. May B., be-: came the wife of Mr. King and they now have one son, Ivan R. King. The mother is a member of the Central Congregational church. Mr. King is well known in fraternal circles of this city, belonging to Alpha Lodge, No. 155, A. F. &' A. M. : to the Odd Fellows society, the Knights of Pythias and the Elks. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has been a stalwart advocate of the republican party and is a recognized leader in its ranks, thoroughly conversant with the vital questions and issues of the day and working along practical lines to secure the adoption of its principles. In 1893 he was elected city attorney and served for one term. In 1907 he was again called to office in his election to the house of representatives of the Forty-fifth Illinois general assembly and indorsement of his first term came to him in his reelection to the Fortysixth and Forty-seventh general assemblies as a member of the house. Mr. King was the republican caucus nominee for speaker of the house of the Forty-sixth general assembly being defeated by Edward D. Shurtleff through a combination of democrats and republicans, who afterward elected William Lorimer United States senator. As a member of the state legislature he has carefully considered questions which have come up for action and neither fear nor favor can swerve him in his support of a cause which he believes to be just and right. He also holds to a high standard of professional ethics, ever treats the court with that courtesy which is its due and never indulges in malicious criticism because it arrives at a conclusion in the decision of a case different from that which he hoped to hear. He gives to his clients the service of well developed talent, un- -: wearied industry and wide learning, but he never forgets that there are certain things due to the court, to his own self-respect and above all to justice and the righteous administration of the law which neither the zeal of an advocate nor the pleasure of success permits him to disregard. :; . 'V - : ' . - ^ -' ; ; -

John S. Mathews is the owner of a fine farm of three hundred and forty acres, to the further development and improvement of which he devotes his attention in connection with stock-raising, and is meeting with excellent success in both. He was born on his present homestead located on section 22, Salem township, on January 6, 1859, a son of William and Mary Jane (Montgomery)

Mathews, the father a native of Ireland and the mother of Pennsylvania. William Mathews emigrated from the Emerald isle to America in his early manhood, locating in Knox county, where he acquired one hundred and sixty acres of land. Being both ambitious and diligent he intelligently applied his eniergies to the cultivation of his land, his efforts meeting with such lucrative returns that he was later able to extend his holdings until he had acquired the title to three hundred and forty acres of land, now the homestead of his son John S.. To Mr. and Mrs. William Mathews there were born seven children, one of whom died at the age of four months. The others are as follows: Sarah N., the wife of Joseph W. Maxwell, of Yates City; John S., our subject; William C., who is living north of Douglas ; Minerva Jane, the wife of Thomas Andrews, also residing north of Douglas ; Robert T. a minister in the Presbyterian church, located at Louisville, Kentucky ; and Clara B., now Mrs. Nixon of Yates City. The parents are now both deceased, the father having passed away at the age of seventy-seven and the mother at eighty-one, and are buried at Yates City. They were charter members of the Presbyterian church of that city and always took an earnest and helpful interest in all religious work, having given much assistance in building the church at Farmington. Mr. Mathews was a republican in politics and for many years held the office of school director in Salem township. He engaged in general farming and stock-raising during the entire period of his active career and met with success, being numbered among the prosperous agriculturists of the county. A man of high principles, his upright conduct and unquestionable integrity won him the esteem of all with whom he had transactions.

Together with his brothers and sisters John S. Mathews attended the common schools of Knox county in the acquirement of an education. They all terminated their student days with the completion of the high school with the exception of the brother Robert T., who was graduated from Knox College and afterwards attended the McCormick Theological Seminary. When his school days were ended John S. Mathews gave his undivided attention to the cultivation of the fields and care for the stock on the homestead, and many improvements upon the place were instituted by him. After his marriage Mr. Mathews brought his bride to the home of his childhood and here they have spent the entire period of their domestic life. Until the last two years he has operated his entire holdings, but he is now renting forty acres. Beside the cultivation of his fields he raises high-grade cattle, hogs and horses, making a specialty of Hereford cattle which are nearly all on the Wisconsin register, and Percheron horses. : In i8go Mr. Mathews was married to Miss Qara Mabel Emery, born October 22, 1869, who is a native of Lynn township, Knox county, and a daughter of David and Amelia (Brooks) Emery. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Mathews there have been born four children : David W., Helen B., Amber G. and Bernard Emery.

The family are members of the Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Mathews has been a member of the board of trustees for eighteen years and is also an elder. He is also a director of the Farmers Telephone Company, and was formerly president, and is a member and secretary of the Percheron Horse Company. His political affiliations are with the republican party and he has been called upon to serve for four years as township assessor, while he has satis- factorily filled the position of school director for twenty-one years, a record which bespeaks the confidence of his fellow citizens. His entire life has been spent in the immediate vicinity of his present homestead, which is located on sections 21 and 22 of Salem township, and among his closest friends he numbers the comrades of his boyhood, this in itself being a tribute to his character,.. .-:.:./

George W. Davidson formerly associated with the agricultural interests of Knox county is now living retired in the village of Henderson. His father, Robert Davidson, born in Ireland in 1817, was the son of Hans and Jane Davidson of Ireland, who came to this country in November, 1817, bringing with them their son Robert who was then a babe six months old. They settled in Ohio, where they lived for many years. When Robert was of age he went to Maryland and there met Julia Ann Elishier whom he made his wife. At this time the great influx of settlers was beginning to invade Illinois, chiefly attracted thither by the promising agricultural prospects. Robert Davidson, too, followed the throng and, accompanied by his bride, settled near Springfield. There they lived for a little time during which period George W. Davidson, their first child, was born December 28, 1846. Their next home was Peoria, Illinois, where they remained until 1851, when they took up their residence in Galesburg. Mr. Davidson opened a plow shop in Henderson, and for four or five years made plows, which he sold in distant as well as neighboring localities, often hauling his iron and plows across the whole state to Iowa and other states. In 1856 he commenced farming and built a sawmill and in 1860 bought a farm, to which he removed his family. Here he devoted himself to agriculture, operating three hundred and fifteen acres of land. He was a man of marvelous physique and great endurance, only once in his life being so ill, as to necessitate a doctor's call. He continued in his farm work up to the time he was eighty-three years old and passed away three years later in 1903. His wife died in 1891, at the age of sixtyfive years. She belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents of two other children, daughters, one of whom died in 1855. The other daughter is Mrs. Anthony Smith, of Henderson. Mr. Robert Davidson was a democrat in politics and for many years served his county in the capacity of road commissioner. He was not a member of any church but gave liberally to the advancement of any worthy religious cause. ,.; , -

George W. Davidson had a common-school education and when old enough engaged in agriculture. Ill health, however, followed him for many years. During the year 1873 he resided in Galesburg and at the end of this time returned to his farm, where he stayed until 1880, when he again resided in Galesburg for a brief period, only to return to the farm and once more pursue his agricultural labors. He was engaged in general farming, raised hogs and stock and had some reputation for breeding blooded Norman and trotting horses. He gave up farming permanently October 20, 1907, when he retired to Henderson, where he is now living. ,;- . - . ;,-,^ -----. ..- -. - . : ^. -

The marriage of Mr. Davidson and Miss Serepta J. Baer was celebrated October 7, 1869. She was a daughter of Rev. D. E. and Susan (Ryan) Baer, who came originally from Germany but lived most of their lives in Spring Run, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Baer was a minister in the United Brethren church. Serepta (Baer) Davidson's grandfather and two of her brothers were also preachers of the same faith.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Davidson. Minnie, the wife of William Ward, a real-estate agent in Galesburg, is the mother of two children, Geneva and Lucile. Robert, is a merchant in Henderson. David Earl, a wholesale coal dealer in Galesburg, by his first wife, Mamie McDermott, has one child,' Leonora. His second wife was formerly Miss Lucile McCune.

Mr. and Mrs. George W. Davidson are ardent workers in the United Brethren and Methodist churches in Henderson. They have a large circle of friends, who esteem them highly for their progressive interest in every measure contributing to the moral and spiritual welfare of the community.

Frank Stewart Stephenson, who owns and operates a farm in Walnut Grove township, was born July 21, 1866, in Oneida, Illinois, his parents being George L. and Grace (Stewart) Stephenson of Oneida, where the former is a prominent representative of mercantile interests.

In the public schools of Oneida Frank S. Stephenson acquired his education. After he had finished his school course he accepted a clerical position in his father's store at Oneida, and remained there until 1903, when he removed to the farm upon which he has since resided. His land is highly developed and well equipped with buildings and machinery, adequate for carrying on its cultivation according to the most advanced and most profitable methods. In addition to general farming he is also extensively engaged in stock-raising.

It was while he was residing in Oneida that Frank Stephenson was married on the 3Oth of September, 1891, to Miss Cummings, whose birth occurred October 21, 1869, on the Cummings homestead, her parents being Leonard B. and Celinda (Bulkeley) Cummings. The father was born in Union, Maine, near the Atlantic seacoast, June 28, 1823, his parents being Suel and Sophia (Barnard) Cummings, the former also a native of Maine, where he engaged in farming, having passed away in 1866 at the age of seventy-seven years, the latter having died in 1890 at the age of ninety-two years. Leonard Cummings, their son, left school at an early age so as to give his time and attention to his father's farm. Later he was employed at logging in a lumber camp for .two winters, and subsequently, at the age of twenty-three years, he and his brother were employed in a trunk factory in Boston, but this work was discontinued when he enlisted in the Mexican war. His service covered a period of eighteen months, and after being mustered out he joined the great army of gold seekers going to California in 1849. He made the trip by water, sailing in a sloop around Cape Horn. For three years he remained in the mining district and then returned home, coming to Galesburg in 1853. Subsequently he purchased the farm which has since been the Cummings homestead. Mrs. Cummings was bom on the 22d of August, 1838, . in Lyme, Connecticut, and was the daughter of A. W. and Margaret Ann (Covenhoven) Bulkeley, the former having been born October i8, 1805, in Colchester, Connecticut, and the latter, September 28, 1805, in New York city. Mr. Bulkeley followed the carpenter, contractor and cabinet-maker's trade throughout his life. He removed to Fulton county in 1839, and in 1851 came to Copley township, Knox county, where his death occurred in 1879, his wife dying in 1886. Mrs. Bulkeley was the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Demorist) Covenhoven, who were of Dutch ancestry, but the family had long resided in this country, James Covenhoven having been a soldier in the Revolutionary war, as were many other members of the family. Mr. L. B. Cummings was a member of the Masons belonging to the A. F. & A. M. lodge, of Altona, Illinois, and although he was never active in politics he was wide awake to the issues of the day, and used what influence he could to promote measures which would tend to public improvement. Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson have become the parents of five children : Maude Aurelia, whose birth occurred July 28, 1892, and who is at present a student at the Illinois Woman's College at Jacksonville ; Frank Stuart, Jr., whose birth occurred. May 25, 1895, and who is a student in the Oneida high school; George Cummings, born June 4. 1898, and attending school at present; Ruth Celinda, whose birth occurred August 29, 1899; and Robert Bulkeley, whose birth occurred December ii, 1901. - ;

Mr. Stephenson is not interested in politics, but because of his interest in the moral condition and the development of the community he has served as a member of the school board of Oneida for five years. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, of Oneida, Illinois, and lodge No. 576 of the Knights of Pythias of Oneida, an organization of which he is a charter member, and of which he is now chancellor commander.